Chapter 111 Guo Huan’s case happened! (Please subscribe)
"Craft exchange?"
"Xia Zhibai is willing to take out the steam engine?"
"What's wrong with the family's business? Isn't that what business is all about? Make money?”
“.”
Xia Zhibai's words did not have much impact on the people on the street.
They didn’t know what they were talking about.
The only thing they knew was that Xia Zhibai felt that what he was doing was not enough and wanted to do more.
Of course they are very satisfied with this.
But the industrial and commercial practitioners upstairs sneered at these words. Technology is the foundation of their families and can truly support their families. How could they just listen to a few words? Hand over these skills?
I'm sorry for my ancestors, and I'm sorry for my clansmen at the bottom.
Only a few people showed vigilance.
They knew very well the miserable situation of Luo Gan and other salt merchants, and had no power to resist at all. They were clearly arranged from the beginning.
And as Xia Zhibai said, he has a large number of craftsmen in his hands, and he can also use the power of the court. If he is really determined to dig into the camp, I am afraid that many craftsmanship will not be hidden at all. But more importantly, Xia Zhibai is an official.
He can steal it!
Although it seems unlikely, who can guarantee it?
The businessmen have different ideas.
Xia Zhibai did not say any more about this.
He just started.
When the world situation changes, these businessmen present will naturally understand.
But he was serious about sending the steam engine drawings.
There are too many derivative systems related to steam engines. Although he has many craftsmen and craftsmen and can rely on the power of the Ministry of Industry, he wants to build the entire steam engine system with the strength of one family. It is basically unrealistic to free it up.
He can’t spend that much money either.
Sometimes.
You have to rely on the strength of other people.
There are very few people who actually know how to build a steam engine, but once the drawings are spread widely, there will naturally be interested people who take the initiative to participate. He is planning to use the power of these people to promote the improvement of the steam engine system bit by bit. .
At the same time, spread the numbers and standardization secretly.
Of course, if someone really wants to build a steam engine, he can also take the opportunity to sell coal to get some blood.
His coal mine now relies entirely on subsidies from the salt factory.
Business is hard.
Coal is too expensive and difficult to transport. Compared with firewood, which is accepted by the public, it is not very popular.
If we want to truly develop the coal industry, we can only rely on the development of steam engines. With the popularization of steam engines, we can turn losses into profits and promote the establishment of an industrial system step by step.
Xia Zhibai is not in a hurry.
Everything is difficult at the beginning, but as long as you get started, you will always find a way.
As for whether others are uneasy, nervous, wary, or something else.
He doesn't even care.
He said everything he wanted to say.
The goal I wanted to achieve has basically been achieved.
Xia Zhibai coughed lightly and said slowly: "Today the salt shop is closed, so it will be closed soon, and the promised salt will be distributed for free. I also ask all elders to Folks, please show your dignity and make way for the world to do business.”
“Thank you, Xia Zhibai.”
Xia Zhibai bowed respectfully to the people around him.
See this.
The people watching were also a little panicked, and many people were at a loss.
After a commotion, a path was finally squeezed out among the crowd.
Fang Mo and several clerks, with more than a dozen bags of salt hanging on their bodies, squeezed through the crowds and distributed the salt at the same time.
The roar of joy resounded from the crowd again.
This wave of sound broke through the clouds, went straight to the sky, and reached the palace.
Fengtian Hall.
Under Zhu Yuanzhang's deliberate provocation.
Fengtian Hall remains as it is and has not been changed into the so-called ‘People’s Hall’.
Inside the palace.
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head suspiciously, looked outside the palace, and asked Pu Gouer, who was waiting at the side: "What happened outside the palace? Why are the shouts coming one after another, as if there is no end? , go check for us, what happened outside the palace."
"Remember to check for us."
Finally.
Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have thought of something, and added: "Since you are leaving the palace, remember to go to Xia Zhibai's salt shop. We want to see what kind of salt he sells. So many can be sold.”
Pu Gou'er said quickly: "Old slave, I obey."
Immediately, Pu Gou'er hesitated for a moment and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, a few days ago, I sent all the soldiers to transfer the Salt Envoy's People, go to the salt shop in Kyoto and buy some of all kinds of salt.”
“Xia Zhibai is really good at doing business. In order to let people who buy salt know which salt is good. , which is coarse salt, and a few magnifying glasses were placed next to the salt jar. The old slave heard that this thing was good, and asked someone from the Salt Transport Department to prepare one. "
Zhu Yuanzhang Yi. Hearing this, he also became interested and said happily: "Well, bring it to us now. We want to see what is the difference between the good salt and the coarse salt made by Xia Zhibai."
"Yes." Pu Gouer said with a smile.
Not long after.
Pu Gouer returned to the palace.
He was holding a wooden tray in his hand, and there were several salt shakers on the wooden tray.
There is also a 'magnifying glass' in the upper corner.
Zhu Yuanzhang put the wooden plate in front of him and looked at the magnifying glass for a few times, but he didn't find it strange.
There are many such things in the palace, but there is no such thing as this.
Of course it seems to be a lot thicker.
He poured all kinds of salt on the paper one by one, but when he poured out the special salt, even though it was not the first time he saw it, he still couldn't help but nod.
White as snow and as fine as sand, it is indeed good salt.
Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the magnifying glass in his hand and looked at it curiously. But when he put the magnifying glass on the salt, the salt in his eyes immediately changed a lot, and the surrounding outline became blurred and distorted. , but the center of the line of sight is particularly clear.
And it’s big enough!
In Zhu Yuanzhang's view, the difference between special salt and coarse salt is indeed obvious.
Special supply of salt clean.
Looking through the magnifying glass, no impurities can be seen.
The size, texture and appearance are almost the same.
A vast expanse of white.
For other coarse salts, or so-called refined salts, under magnification, impurities can be seen, varying in size, and some are mixed with some sediment, as well as some yellow and gray crystals. Compared with the special salt, the difference is obvious.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.
“It seems that this special supply of salt is not expensive.”
“Clean up all the sediment and other miscellaneous things inside.”
“Other salts, even coarse salts, taste better than most salts, and they can only sell so much.”
“It’s just that the salt is good and cheap, so where is the profit? "
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly.
In his opinion, Xia Zhibai clearly used his own money to make money among the people.
Fifty thousand silver.
Even thinking about it now, Zhu Yuanzhang feels distressed.
It didn’t take long.
Pu Gouer is back.
Also brought news from outside the city.
Only then did Zhu Yuanzhang realize that today is the agreed third month deadline.
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered and said: "This Xia Zhibai makes a loud noise every time he performs the cutscene. I don't know how big an official he is. Looking at this situation, the 500,000 kilograms of salt must have been sold. Otherwise, the people would not be so noisy."
Pu Gou'er nodded and said: "Your Majesty."
"Fifty thousand has been reached."
"But it's not just once. "
"The slave inquired that when it was first announced, the total sales of the eight counties did not reach 500,000, but only 490,000. Later, some people were dissatisfied with this data. , Xia Zhibai had to add the salt he had ordered privately from other stores, and it reached half a million." Zhu Yuanzhang sneered.
He didn't believe this statement at all.
This was Xia Zhibai’s intention, just to whet the appetite of the people.
He could see through this little trick at a glance.
I can’t get on any big stage.
It was only when Pu Gou'er said it, and then asked the industrial and commercial people in the city to take the initiative to say it, that Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened slightly and he said in a serious voice: "This Xia Zhibai has some plans. Not only did he pick himself out, but he also The matter is pushed to other merchants. If these merchants don't tell them, the people will only resent these merchants and not blame Xia Zhibai."
"These scholars have always been good at what they say. One set."
"But the merchants in the city have said so, right?"
Pu Gouer nodded.
He smiled and said: "Your Majesty, I have told you everything."
"Even the salt merchant who was squeezed out by Xia Zhibai and couldn't sell salt said so."
"This is the first time I have heard of such a thing for this old slave who has served your majesty for so long, and he clearly has a crush on Xia Zhibai. He hated it to the core, but he could only obey."
Zhu Yuanzhang could not laugh.
He only felt the extraordinary ability of Xia Zhibai.
At first, he thought it was Xia Zhibai’s deliberate attempt to create excitement, but when Pu Gouer explained what happened in detail, he gradually realized that something was different. It was all too much. Smooth and natural.
It's so natural.
Being an emperor.
He deeply knows how difficult it is to do all this.
But Xia Zhibai did it.
Not only did the people applaud and praise him, but also the businessmen, especially the businessmen who were in competition with him, had to open their mouths to applaud, which was extraordinary.
Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly: "What's next?"
"What else happened?"
"Explain everything to us clearly."
Meet Zhu Yuanzhang His face suddenly turned grim, Pu Gouer did not dare to take it lightly anymore, and tremblingly told what happened next.
Finish listening.
Zhu Yuanzhang's face was as gloomy as water.
Pu Gouer was also frightened by Zhu Yuanzhang's expression.
He couldn't understand.
Why did Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly become angry?
This seems like nothing.
Moreover, everything Xia Zhibai did was for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, and it was also a real benefit to the court. Why did it make His Majesty angry?
Just because Xia Zhibai did it?
Pu Gouer lowered his head, thinking secretly in his heart.
Bang!
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became furious and slammed the magnifying glass on the table to the ground, with barely concealed anger in his eyes.
Pu Gouer couldn't understand.
He knew this very well.
Make way for the world to do business?
Xia Zhibai didn’t say this to the common people, but specifically to himself.
Because he doesn’t like business.
It's not even dislike, it's disgust from the bottom of my heart.
He still remembered the scene of those tax collectors rushing to his home and forcing his parents to death.
His parents have always been honest farmers, and have been exploited by these tax merchants all their lives. If his neighbor Liu Jizu hadn't borrowed a piece of land, his parents wouldn't even have a burial place after their death. For these businessmen, He was genuinely disgusted.
After the founding of the Ming Dynasty.
Although many systems of the Yuan Dynasty were abolished on the surface.
But the tax farming system has actually been abolished. Zhu Yuanzhang knew this very well. Although the world was changing dynasties, it was not that easy to change it directly. What he had to do next was to remove the remaining The 'tax farming system' in the Ming Dynasty system was completely eradicated.
The tax package system is no longer needed.
Then there is no need for businessmen to exist.
But what is Xia Zhibai advocating in the world now? Make way for the world to trade?
Did he drive on this road whenever he wanted?
soon.
Zhu Yuanzhang calmed down.
Because he wanted to eradicate the remnants of the 'tax farming system', he did not tell anyone, not even Zhu Biao.
Xia Zhibai has no way of knowing.
Is this really a coincidence?
Is this really an accidental collision?
Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t believe it.
And what Xia Zhibai said to the outside world was incompatible with the world envisaged by Zhu Yuanzhang.
He simply doesn’t want so much action in the world.
As long as the people pay the grain and taxes honestly.
Nothing else should be considered by these people.
As for what Xia Zhibai said about 'reducing costs and increasing efficiency' and 'improving productivity', there is no need at all. He just wants the people to stay in the fields honestly.
Zhu Yuanzhang squinted his eyes, his eyes emitting a cold light.
He thought about it over and over again in his mind, but he didn't think of the reason.
A long time.
Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and opened them again.
Whether Xia Zhibai is a coincidence or intentional.
No one can stop what he wants to do.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Pu Gouer coldly, suddenly thought of something, and asked: "Who has Xia Zhibai been walking around with recently?"
Pu Gouer was stunned and thought for a moment. , he said uncertainly: "The old slave has also asked. Xia Zhibai has only had contact with some merchants in the city recently. Apart from that, he only had some disputes with the housekeeper of Guo Huan, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, yesterday. .”
“Shilang Guo also invited Xia Zhibai over last night.”
“It’s still a huge invitation.”
“One hundred taels of silver.”
“Guo Huan? "Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes darkened.
Pu Gouer nodded seriously and said: "Your Majesty, it is the Right Minister of the Ministry of Finance."
"Old slave remembers it very clearly."
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were slightly closed, his eyes uncertain.
He has already guessed some situations.
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered and said: "It seems that we have underestimated our ministers of the Ming Dynasty. Each of them is like a human spirit. We thought that we did it perfectly, but it turned out that others have seen through it. In this case, then we There is no need to be secretive anymore.”
“Go to the Censor’s Mansion and tell those Censors.”
"It's time to work!"
"We raise them to work for us, not to pamper them for us."
Pu Gouer's face changed slightly. .
He heard the murderous intent from Zhu Yuanzhang's words.
Your Majesty, is he going to kill someone again?
Pu Gouer nodded quickly and walked quickly to deliver the message.
At dusk.
Yu Min, Ding Ting and several other censors jointly reported that Guo Huan, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, had used his authority to collude with Li Yu, the envoy of the Chengxuan in Beiping, and Zhao Quande, the envoy of the Prosecution and Prosecution Commission, together with the Ministry of Hubu. Officials such as the minister Hu Yi and Wang Daoheng engaged in corruption.
Same day.
Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the interrogator Wu Yong to torture Guo Huan.
The Guo Huan case officially broke out.
If there is any incoherence, you really can’t blame me. It was deleted. I discovered that some chapters were missing a hundred or two hundred words for me.
Just like the previous chapter, There was actually a poem by the teacher at the beginning, as well as a few encouraging words, but they were all automatically deleted.
Vomiting blood.
(End of this chapter)